Instructor Biography

About The Instructor

Director of Financial Planning Program
Muma College of Business, University of South Florida


Dr. Laura Mattia’ is the Director of the Financial Planning at Muma College of Business, University of South Florida in Tampa where she manages the curriculum, enrollment, and development of the financial planning major.  Her financial expertise is a unique combination of advanced financial degrees and certifications and over 30 years of financial leadership experience.  She received a Ph.D. in Personal Financial Planning from Texas Tech University, a MBA with a concentration in Accounting/Finance from Montclair State University, and a BA degree in Psychology from Montclair State University.  
Dr. Laura Mattia also serves as the Senior Vice President of Women and RIA Development at Cumberland Advisors in Sarasota, Florida.  In this capacity, Dr. Mattia provides guidance in selecting strategies that are in the best interest of the client for the Cumberland team.  She speaks at conferences and other financial venues encouraging sound financial practices.  Before her affiliation with Muma College of Business and Cumberland Advisors, she worked as a partner with Baron Financial Group a fee-only wealth management firm in Fairlawn, NJ.  Prior to that she worked in corporate finance where she held various CFO/controller positions at M&M/Mars in Hackettstown, NJ, Telcordia Technologies in Red Bank, NJ, Cendant Corp in Parsippany, NJ, Geller and Company in New York City, NY.  

Dr. Mattia’s research on women and money has been presented at various academic and trade conferences receiving accolades for insights aimed at financially empowering women.  She is the internet radio show host of Women’s Money Empowerment Network™ and the author of a financial news column and financial workbooks used to educate women. Her Knowledge Sharing Workshops focus on helping women make effective financial decisions.  Dr. Mattia is nationally recognized as a women’s advocate and educator within the profession and was recognized as a Women of Influence by Sarasota-Manatee Biz (941), one of 50 Best Women in Business by NJBiz, a Five Star Wealth Manager and she received the Women’s Choice Award® for Financial Advisors, a premier recognition award for advisors who provide quality service to their female clients.  

Dr. Mattia lives in Sarasota Florida providing leadership on several boards and pro-bono efforts for the FPA (Financial Planning Association) and NAPFA (National Association of Personal Financial Advisors) promoting financial literacy and encouraging all financial advisors to adhere to a higher standard.